|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:39 pm
Heaters are most important(or chillers depending on where you live)
one may say a filter is, but you can always change water.(changing water temperature by taking out cold/hot water is not fun)
heaters should be about 2 1/2 watts per gallon, unless room temperature swings more than 10 degrees throughout the day.. in which case you should go with 5 watts.
and to go with a heater is a good thermometer.. maybe even two, this way you can be sure the tank temperature is correct.
filters, should be roughly 10times volume in gallons.. with gallons per hour output, canister filters only have to be 5 times the tank.
(example. internal/hang on back[HOB] filter on a 10 gallon aquarium should put out between 80 and 120 GPH. while canister filters only need to put about 40-60 GPH)
an aquarium test kit is always a good idea, as its a good idea to "cycle" your tank before adding inhabitants, and a test kit will help you know when the cycle is achieved, also for weekly maintenance, testing before your weekly/biweekly/2ndweek water change will let you know if levels of toxins are too high so you know to make water changes more frequent.
ninja Made your thread a Sticky, Steed. Good stuff! Can't wait you add more! blaugh --yay sticky!
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:09 am
lighting isn't too important with most fish/inverts, although there are some that prefer it dark, or light, for planted tanks watts per gallon can be a good estimate (2WPG is average), although the color range is more important; yellow orange(and i think white aswell) for freshwater.
a good hood,cover or lid, as this slows down evaporation,which makes you have to top the tank off less often, aswell as keeps the fish IN the tank, some snails need to grab a breath of air, so a lid will keep them from going too far.
a siphoning tool is great to have for water changes...theres one called python (no spill clean and fill i think) which is useful, as it sucks water out, and can put it back in... its pretty pricey, so you could buy a normal siphon, and attach it to a garden hose for same uses.. and much less cost
air pumps are another useful item to have, they can power decoration... or be used to make on... such as bubble walls, or bubble around/behind an object. they are also great for putting oxygen into the water... and the hotter it is the less oxygen water can hold..and many fish available on the trade like warm water, so its a good idea to provide extra oxygen.(an external filter can be used to help as well)
many fish also like to play in the bubble smile
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:36 am
I'd have to disagree on the filter... You need the surface disturbance for gas exchange. Filters help keep oxygen in the water, and they're also the best spot for beneficial bacteria to survive.
Same with the heater, sure if you live in mexico and want a coldwater tank you'll need a chiller, but a heater is nowhere near as necessary as a filter. A few degrees off isn't a big deal. Higher temperatures make fish live shorter lives due to metabolism speeding up but with better immune systems, and vice versa for colder waters. I'd suggest getting a heater if you can since they don't cost too much, but filters are definitely more important.
Sorry, just stating what I think >.<
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 12:57 pm
a few degrees could mean survival or death, not being sarcastic in the least. a swing of temperature of more than 2 degrees causes stress in fish, leading to depressed immune and all that other stuff.
maintaining a stable temperature is VERY important, there are cold water species.. and tropical water species... often they don't mix.
EDIT: ack.. and the filters... the average gravel bed has much more beneficial bacteria that many filters, thus making any flow over them useful...
also just curious.. what if im using a spray bar... its all pressurized..water intake and output are both inside water, making no new oxygen get mixed.... now one could use an air stone... or add plants.. what would be your choice.. im asking for efficiency not what costs less(and don't choose a luft lift lol)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 1:38 pm
The bacteria need lots of oxygen. The oxygen flow in the filter is much higher than in the gravel bed, and there's also more space (assuming one has a canister filter with a biological cartridge). Not to mention that if you have the right filter, all the water passes through the filter which is where the majority of bacteria is. o.o
Stable temperatures aren't normally a problem in most households, what I'm saying is that trying to keep the temperature at 78 degrees instead of 70 degrees isn't as important as having oxygen flow and filtration. That is, unless you have fish which strange temperature needs such as discus. Air stones and stuff like that are fine, but why would you choose an air stone over a filter when the filter provides filtration?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 3:51 pm
I would say a filter is only NOT neccessary is when you have a very heavily planted tank. The plants will "filter" the water and provide oxygen. Heaters are pretty much always a good idea, unless you have like a goldfish or something
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 4:00 pm
oh blag, i shall not try to change your mind...
but under gravel filters if the tank is larger then 20gallons.. are much better,cheaper, and require less maintenance (just don't break them with your grav vac) than canister filters(speaking of which my "perfect" filter's handles broke on me sad )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
